PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007 gets under way tomorrow

The three-day exhibition, to be organised by Channels Exhibitions at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring together the biggest names in digital imaging industry from around the globe.

Distributors and trade visitors will get an opportunity to source and identify new innovations and points of supply in the sector by networking directly with international exhibitors from over 16 countries. Top-notch digital imaging brands like Nokia, HP and Sony Ericsson will also be on display at the exhibition, showcasing the booming digital imaging market in the Middle East and Asia, which is set to reach $10 billion by 2009.

In his comments, Mr Justin Boutros, Managing Director, Channels Exhibitions, said:

"PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007 is set for a spectacular start tomorrow. The exhibition will redefine the prevailing trends and projections in the digital imaging sector, both regionally as well as globally. The high-profile industry event will be an ideal platform for buyers and manufacturers of imaging and associated products. The strategic location of Dubai, coupled with the business opportunities extended by the region, makes it an ideal melting pot for those in search of new territories and business opportunities in the industry."

He added: "Over 75 exhibitors will take part in PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007, a substantial increase in the number of exhibitors over last year. The exhibition will also have a dedicated area for showcasing photographs and images from the media industry."

PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007 will encompass seminars and workshops on all days. Organized by the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers, the seminars will be handled by Mike McNamee, Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and the British Professional Photographers Association and Martin Grahame-Dunn, past MPA National President and Chairman of Qualifications. The themes will include Calibration, lighting, posing and Composition for the portrait photographer, photoshop masking etc.

The exhibition will have the participation of the Singapore Photographic Trade Association (SPTA), which will make its debut in the region at the show with a national pavilion. The Qatar Photographic Society and the Abu Dhabi-based Lightchasers will also be showcasing their works at the exhibition. Other groups include the Spanish national pavilion with 12 exhibitors who specialize in digital albums and backdrops as well as ASSOFOTO Italiana, which has global expertise in digital albums.

The exhibition is open to all and will feature the biggest names in the industry including Sony Professional & Broadcast (Kiosks), Mitsubishi Electric, Almoe Digital Solutions FZ, Epson and Plug-ins with vendor participation from Al Futtaim- Panatech Showcasing Panasonic Digital Cameras, Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Hamma- Germany, HP with a special digital imaging presentation at the stand and many others.

PhotoWorld - Dubai 2007 will showcase every category of digital imaging that includes digital cameras, multimedia devices, digital printers, digital photo kiosks, handycams, overhead projectors, imaging software, digital minilabs, photographic and printing paper, studio accessories, photo finishing chemicals and digital albums.

The Middle East region boasts of a consumer base of over 1.3 billion tech savvy consumers, which is growing at three per cent every year. According to market reports, between 2005 and 2009, digital prints are expected to grow 26 per cent annually from 60 billion to 152 billion. By 2009, revenue from digital prints is also set to grow exponentially. Reports indicate that more than 55 per cent of those prints will be created at a retail location.